Yesterday in Knox City, Texas, on behalf of the Pittman family, I delivered my aunt’s eulogy. This is a brief tribute to her. When the photos are developed, I’ll post a few, and perhaps the transcript of the eulogy I gave.

In Loving Memory of Mildred Pittman Stubbs

Born Feb. 5, 1925

Passed Away, Feb. 23 2008

Buried in Knox City Cemetery (Texas)

A Poem for My Aunt Mildred

I led the other family members in prayer,

Each of us remembering you in our memories,

None of them the same,

But all of them sacred.

I thought of your prickly pear jelly,

The many books on your shelves,

In one I discovered Edgar Allan Poe,

I thought of the knick-knacks above the books,

Thought of your lake house at Possum Kingdom,

And the day I saved my mother from drowning there,

Thought of how you laughed constantly,

How you made me feel like a true nephew,

How you never criticized me,

Never sighed in frustration at my chatter and questions,

As if you recognized my sprouting imagination,

As I read my copy of Turok: Son of Stone,

Which I had purchased from the newstand

Across from Jones Pharmacy where you worked.

You were my aunt for all those years,

Today, I was our family’s priest,

Giving last rites, giving your eulogy,

We committed your body to the earth,

Your soul to a loving God,

Telling the world that you

Will be remembered and loved.

 I first met Michele Aucoin a few years ago at a gifted symposium/conference.  I’ve mentioned her, her work, and her writing several times on this blog. As a friend, I’ve found her to have a warm heart. This beautiful and intelligent lady is generous and cares so much for her gifted students.  I’ve given programs at the schools she works with for the gifted students and they seem to adore her. With good reason, I’d say. After hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Michele shut down her blog for a while. I was delighted to find that she had revived it recently. Do yourself a favor and check out her blog once in a while. You’ll find her writing thoughtful and warm.  (She is an excellent poet) She’s involved in writing groups, is an active “friend of the library” in Assumption Parish, and the depth and breadth of her knowledge is astounding–knowing a lot about many things, including music, antiques, history, and education.

http://thesmellofcypress.blogspot.com/ 

Sad News:

Yesterday, I found out that my Aunt Mildred, a resident of Knox City, Texas, died Friday night. So, I’m going to my parents house Sunday morning, then early Monday we’re driving to Knox City from Kemp for her funeral. There, I’ve been elected by the Pittman family to give a eulogy for her in a graveside ceremony. I’ve had too much death near me this year. (See June 21-23 entries). My poor father . . . Only he and Alvin are alive now from the Pittman clan. He’s in the best shape of the two left alive, so I look at him as if he were the last of the Mohicans. Every year, I feel the ephemeral nature of life more and more. Please say a prayer for me and my family. Perhaps I’ll be able to see my cousins, the daughters of Alvin, at the funeral.

A Gift: My good friend and publicist (who also works with Region XI Media and Library Services in Fort Worth) Bonnie, knowing my love for Hemingway, recently gave me a very special gift: It was a first edition printing in Life Magazine of The Old Man and the Sea, Sept. 1, 1952. I was speechless. It means so much to me. I now have a story of Hemingway (the reason I’m an English major, the reason I’m a writer) in my hands, first published in the year I was born. Bonnie has excellent technical skills. She designed the current look of my website. She is beautiful and has to be one of the smartest  women I’ve known. Here is a photo of this priceless Hemingway gift she gave me:

Friday Night, I had a great time at the Perkins Rowe (a very new store) Barnes and Noble in Baton Rouge.  I read from my children’s book, sang, and played my guitar for their Story Time program the store has on Friday nights. Annie, the CRM (Community Relations Manager), was so sweet and encouraging. The parents who bought my book were very appreciative of my presentation, and Annie (Barnes & Noble CRM) made it clear that I would be welcomed back.

Today, Saturday, I signed at the Waldenbooks at the Cortana Mall in Baton Rouge from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. I had a WONDERFUL time. Beryl, the manager, was quite happy with the day. We sold ALL copies of Jim Limber Davis: A Black Orphan in the Confederate White House, and some of my books, Red River Fever and Stories of the Confederate South.

However, the really neat thing about my trip this weekend, was stopping in at Rosemont, home of Jefferson Davis on Friday on my way to Baton Rouge. Ironically, on that same day in 1862, (According to the Monroe News-Star) Jefferson was inaugurated for a six-year term as president following his election the previous November. I was given a tour of the plantation by Jinny Angeline, tour director, who I also discovered to be an expert on Davis. I actually was able to hold and touch items owned and used by Jefferson Davis. I felt chills the whole time I was at this sacred spot. There are so many stories that need to be written about the Davis family in relation to this plantation. I was invited to be a part of the Jefferson Davis Centennial Celebration at the end of May. They have my book about Jim Limber on display in the house and everyone that comes through hears the story. You can (and should) read more of Rosemont here:

http://woodville4.tripod.com/rosemont.htm

Here is a photo of Rosemont:

Book Signing News:

I arrived home to Monroe around 8:30 p.m. A long hardday yesterday, from 3:00 a.m. till 8:30 p.m. Yet, in spite of the long hours spent doing programs and driving, I do truly love what I’m doing with these programs and signings. The Quitman high school and junior high students and teachers were wonderful! Ann Broadway, the librarian, has an excellent library and is doing a wonderful job.  Once again I had a grand time.  My thanks to the staff there!

Tonight, I’ll be doing Children’s Story Time and signing books at  Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Perkins Rowe 7707 Bluebonnet Blvd #100 Baton Rouge LA 70810 225-766-1337  Then Saturday, at Waldenbooks, 9663 Cortana Pl Baton Rouge, LA 70815 (225) 924-7665. (The Mall at Cortana Place). I’ll return to Monroe Saturday night. I’ll post Saturday’s blog then. I’ll also try to have a picture of each signing posted.

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY:

According to my Civil War calendar, on this day in 1896, the Confederate White House in Richmond, Virginia, opened to the public. This of course is the house that Jim Limber lived in. I show a photo of the house when I present my Jim Limber Story program to schools.  The house was saved by a group of Richmond women who formed the Confederate Memorial Literary Society. I haven’t seen the house in many years, but I intend to do book signings in Richmond this summer, so I’ll get another chance to see it.

Baffling Thought of the Day: This is from T-Bubba’s CD I listened to yesterday.

“Are fat people harder to kidnap?”

As I’m leaving for Quitman, Texas ISD in just a minute, today’s entry will be short. According to my Civil War Calendar, Joseph Shelby (interesting name as that is my daughter’s married name now) traveled to Mexico rather than surrender to the Union at the end of the War. He was appointed United State Marshal for the Western District of Missouri, Feb. 21, 1894.  Maximilian had given the Rebels land for an American colony in Mexico.  I know that other Confederates went to Brazil, and others to England. I may be pointing out the obvious, but war makes us reevaluate many things. I wonder how the war in Iraq will change American perspectives in the future?

Hagiography

I’ve decided to look into the role and work of saints occasionally. I’m especially interested in patron saints.

According to my book of saints, “Michael is, with George, a patron saint of soldiers, and also amusingly, of grocers on account of the scales that he holds to weigh the souls of the dead” (in paintings).

Book Signing News:

Another busy week awaits me. I’ll be leaving very early tomorrow morning for Quitman, Texas ISD and returning tomorrow night. Friday I’ll have a signing at the Barnes & Noble in Baton Rouge (Perkins store) and at Waldenbooks in Baton Rouge on Saturday, then I’ll likely return home Saturday night. I also found out that my children’s book was nominated for SIBA Book Award by Cherry Books. (Look in list towards bottom) http://www.sibaweb.com/component/option,com_fabrik/Itemid,271/ and also for the Cybils Award. See these blogs: http://missrumphiuseffect.blogspot.com/2007/10/nonfiction-picture-books-nominations.html
http://whimsybooks.livejournal.com/57912.html

Civil War Program Additions:

After my signing at the Texas Civil War Museum last Saturday, I’ve added some things to my show and tell table for the students who see my program. I now have two packages of Confederate money, a mounted chart of Texas flags during the Civil War, and a friendship fan. According to the museum staff, young girls in the Antebellum South would write the names of their friends on the blades of the fan. I also saw a photo of one on the Internet that looked like it had photos/paintings of friends as/on the blades. However, I couldn’t locate any specific sites that talked about friendship fans. If you know of one, please send it my way. (rickeyp@bayou.com) I do know that hand fans were common and part of a lady’s attire, and evidently a means of communication. On the site listed below, you can see some Civil War period fans. Below that is the language of the fan:

http://www.ideco.com/fans/language.htm

The fan placed near the heart: “You have won my love”
A closed fan touching the right eye: “When may I be allowed to see you?”
The number of sticks shown answered the question: “At what hour?”
Threatening movements with a fan closed: “Do not be so imprudent”
Half-opened fan pressed to the lips: “You may kiss me”
Hands clasped together holding an open fan: “Forgive me”
Covering the left ear with an open fan: “Do not betray our secret”
Hiding the eyes behind an open fan: “I love you”
Shutting a fully opened fan slowly: “I promise to marry you”
Drawing the fan across the eyes: “I am sorry”
Touching the finger to the tip of the fan: “I wish to speak with you”
Letting the fan rest on the right cheek: “Yes”
Letting the fan rest on the left cheek: “No”
Opening and closing the fan several times: “You are cruel”
Dropping the fan: “We will be friends”
Fanning slowly: “I am married”
Fanning quickly: “I am engaged”
Putting the fan handle to the lips: “Kiss me”
Opening a fan wide: “Wait for me”
Placing the fan behind the head: “Do not forget me”
Placing the fan behind the head with finger extended: “Goodbye”
Fan in right hand in front of face: “Follow me”
Fan in left hand in front of face: “I am desirous of your acquaintance”
Fan held over left ear: “I wish to get rid of you”
Drawing the fan across the forehead: “You have changed”
Twirling the fan in the left hand: “We are being watched”
Twirling the fan I the right hand: “I love another”
Carrying the open fan in the right hand: “You are too willing”
Carrying the open fan in the left hand: “Come and talk to me”
Drawing the fan through the hand: “I hate you!”
Drawing the fan across the cheek: “I love you!”
Presenting the fan shut: “Do you love me?”

According to the link below, there were at least two books published in the 19th century that tutored ladies on the secret language of the fan. Be sure and check it out for yourself and see which of these codes you favor. I suppose men knew about this secret language and made some kind of effort to learn it too.

http://www.floridareenactorsonline.com/fans.htm

I think I’ve a new favorite Civil War artist. My new reenactor friends in Forth Worth told me about him. A site I found says this about him: “John Paul Strain was born in Nashville, Tennessee, has studied American history and the War Between the States all his life. He captures the color, drama and heroism of the Civil War with a vivid realism that is unique among the nation’s top-ranking historical artists.” I would encourage you to go to his site and view his wonderful art. I’ve included one below that is entitled, Vengeance at Okolona. http://www.johnpaulstrain.com/

World News: The hypocrisy and inconsistency of political leaders astounds me. For example, Kosovo’s secession from Serbia is applauded and supported by President Bush and others. One political theorist asks that if Bush and his government government “can sanction the secession of Kosovo—a tiny and poor Muslim enclave in the heart of the Christian Balkans—why can’t it sanction the existence of an independent South Carolina?” I wonder what our government would do if South Carolina seceded today? Probably invade or try to blockade the state again like Lincoln did. You can read the whole article that the quotes comes from here. http://dixienet.org/New%20Site/pressrelease02182008.shtml

When I look at the Presidential candidates, I am quite discouraged. None of them appear to be the kind of leader America needs. I do know of some who would be up to the task, but they wouldn’t have a chance of gathering enough support in our present fixed, two-party, oligarchical system.  Perhaps in the big picture, it doesn’t matter which one is elected, for the mess we have will likely only get messier. As far as past presidents, I think we could learn a great deal by studying their lives, writings, and philosophies.  For Lincoln, I would particularly recommend reading The Real Lincoln: A New Look at Abraham Lincoln, His Agenda, and an Unnecessary War by Thomas J. Dilorenzo. This book will deconstruct the many myths of the sanitized and Saint Lincoln that the revisionist historians and biographers have created.

If you would like to consider politics from a Southern and conservative point of view, I would encourage you to listen to Dixie Broadcasting for this online program. I promise you, it will make you think:

The best-selling book, The South Was Right! by the Kennedy Brothers will be presented all this week on DixieBroadcasting!

Over 100,000 copies of this book have been sold in hardback over the last 10 years… now it’s also available on cassette tape from Pelican Publishing.

Listen to the different chapters of this book all this week during the “Dixie Dynamite” show at 7am & 7pm Eastern, Monday – Saturday

Here is the link: http://dixiebroadcasting.com/ 

Vocabulary 

One area a writer should always strive to develop is that of vocabulary. I’ve learned some new words I wanted to share with you.

At the Kimball Art Museum, I learned these:

Ewer – a pitcher. In a religious context, of course these would hold holy water, wine (for communion) or perhaps oil.

Reliquary: A small container that would hold relics of saints.

A Thought for Black History Month. Here is a marker about a famous man of color in Texas during the Civil War:

Marker Title: Primus Kelly
City: Navasota
County: Grimes
Year Marker Erected: 1965
Marker Location: From Navasota take SH 6 S approx. 12 mi. to roadside park.
Marker Text: A faithful Negro slave. Came to nearby Courtney, Grimes County in 1851 with his master, John W. S. West from North Carolina. West was a prominent and wealthy pioneer planter and landowner. At the outbreak of the Civil War, West sent Kelly “to take care” of his three sons– Robert M., Richard and John Haywood– who joined the famous Terry’s Texas Rangers, where they served with distinction. Kelly was not content “to wait on” his charges but joined them in battle, firing his own musket and cap and ball pistol. Twice Kelly brought to Texas the wounded Richard, twice took him to the front again. After war, bought a small farm near “Marse Robert”, raised a large family and prospered. Died in 1890s. The courage and loyalty of Kelly was typical of most Texas Negro slaves. Hundreds “went to war” with their masters. Many operated the farms and ranches of soldiers away at war, producing food, livestock, cotton and clothing for the Confederacy. Others, did outside work to support their master’s families. They protected homes from Indians, bandits and deserters and did community guard and patrol duty. At war’s end, most slaves, like Primus Kelly, became useful and productive citizens of Texas.

Book Signing News:

As I feared, Saturday was a stormy day in Fort Worth.  Thunder had awakened me before dawn, and it continued with heavy rain through the day. Thankfully, the ice didn’t reach us. In spite of the gloomy day, I had a great signing at the Texas Civil War Museum. I met some people that I’m sure will be my friends from now on.  I stayed at the museum all day–from 9:00 a.m. till 5:30 p.m. I was using the day as a fund raiser for the museum, which I believe to be the finest Civil War museum I’ve ever seen. The museum is also now carrying my books.  While driving back to my room, I saw the biggest and most beautiful rainbow I’d ever seen stretched across that wide Texas sky. I felt as if God were smiling on me. It was truly an existential moment.  Here are some of the highlights of the day: I met and talked with several Civil War reenactors. The 37th Texas was prominently there.  They came in Federal uniforms while others from other areas came as Confederates. If you are interested in reenacting, you should check them out. Here is their website:  http://www.37thtexas.org/ I also met people who loved Scottish and Irish music (I did perform with my guitar too), men and women who give Living History programs (related to the War Between the States), several women from the United Daughters of the Confederacy, tourists visiting Fort Worth from up north, and docents and library staff. I talked all day, and must have gotten ideas for a dozen stories. As usual, the people who love to study the War Between the States are walking encyclopedias of knowledge and they never fail to teach or tell me something that rattles me or surprises me.

At the Kimball Art museum this weekend, I obtained a book: Saints: A Visual Guide. The book contains visual art depicting each of the saints, as well as a condensed saint-biography and legends associated with it. Of the 4,500 saints listed in religion, this book covers 130. It is absolutely fascinating. There must be thousands of writing ideas in its pages. From this book, I can learn each saint’s history, symbols, and importance. Many of them, I’ve never heard of, and many of them I think will make good models for modern characters. This will be a rich study, and I’m sure I’ll post details from time to time on them.